Description
The animation, games and visual effects (VFX) industries are always searching for new talent. BA (Hons) Animation and Games Art allows you to explore and develop both traditional and new techniques, learning key digital skills in 2D and 3D as well as the core principles of character-led animation.
You'll have the opportunity to work on industry-led briefs and entries for festivals and competitions such as Encounters, RTS awards, 11 Second Club and E4 Stings. We’re affiliated with Game Republic too, it's all part of our commitment to help you become industry ready.
We place Animation and Games Art within the broader context of design to help you keep your career options open. You'll also have the creative freedom and flexibility to develop your specific areas of interest, gaining transferable skills crucial for employability.
Why us?
This course gives a strong foundation in traditional animation principles while also teaching key digital skills in both 2D and 3D
Our graduates are working in the film, VFX, games and television industries on projects including Grand Theft Auto, Hey Duggee, Miffy, Corpse Bride, Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings
Our industry contacts, including Game Republic Ltd provide opportunities to work on live briefs, access placements, studio visits, workshops and game jams
You’ll have the creative freedom to work in any medium and technique allowing you to find and develop your personal style
Our course places focus on a vibrant community of like-minded creative practitioners, both on campus and online within a thriving discord community of both students, graduates and those working within the creative industry sharing skills, works and technique. This provides you with the opportunity to extend your creative and technical skillset, professional understanding, and to develop a deeper creative vision.
Career ready
Our graduates have gone on to work throughout the film, special effects, games, and television industries, and worked on projects including The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Grand Theft Auto, Creature Comforts, Miffy and Hey Duggee. Recent employers have included: animation studios such as Cartoon Saloon, Aardman and Studio AKA; TV companies such as Cartoon Network, CBeebies and CITV; games companies such as Rockstar, Ubisoft and Sumo Digital.
Requirement
Senior Secondary School Certificate (SSSC) or a West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC) plus an International Foundation Programme with 60% or above Pass grade
If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.
If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk for further advice.
If English is not your first language, please see our English language requirements.
If you are studying a HND or Foundation Degree you may be able to enter onto the final year of our degree courses. For more information, please contact studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk.
Portfolio requirements
We’ll invite you to an informal interview to talk about your work, where we would like to see evidence of your creative potential. Previous experience in glass, ceramics or making is not essential.
Please prepare a portfolio of work you have completed so far. We are not looking for perfection as we appreciate you are still developing work. Your portfolio should be simply mounted and include:
Art and design work completed in or outside of your studies
A variety of art and design work – we want to see a range of styles and technique
Ideas that didn’t work
Research: for example sketchbooks, scrapbooks of things that inspire you or design sheets
Photographs of 3D, and large 2D, work are acceptable
A USB stick or online link with any digital and screen-based work
Uncompleted or work in progress is also useful to see
Structure
Teaching is almost entirely practical and studio-based, supported by lectures, seminars and tutorials. Our academic team encourage you to express ideas and push the boundaries of creativity. Assessment is mainly through coursework.
In the first year you'll learn traditional animation techniques and core digital skills. You'll also learn about the broader context of design with students from other design subjects. In the second year you'll be introduced to more advanced concepts and approaches such as 3D, digital sculpting, VR and photogrammetry, character rigging and motion capture.
You'll have the opportunity to apply to undertake an optional placement year out in industry between your second and final year, this is sometimes known as a sandwich degree.
In your final year you'll focus on developing your portfolio and graduate identity, undertake a personal research project that will lead into your Final Major Project. You'll exhibit your work at our Degree Show, which will be visited by industry experts and potential employers.
Part-time study
If you study this course on a part-time basis you will typically complete 40-80 credits in a year, rather than the 120 credits of full-time students. All modules are taught during the day time and you will be studying alongside full-time students.